Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher greets members of 8 Wing CFB Trenton on May 13, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
About 200 members of 8 wing CFB Trenton marched through downtown Belleville to City Hall Friday celebrating a long and treasured relationship with its neighbour.
The ceremony honoured the tradition of granting “Freedom of the City” to military units and dates back to England in the 15th century.
Colonel Colin Keiver, Commander 8 Wing/CFB Trenton knocks on the door to Belleville City Hall with his sword and waits for mayor Taso Christopher to answer. on May 13, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Once on City Hall’s door step, Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver banged the hilt of his sword against a circlular wooden plate attached to the door.
Keiver says during the War of the Roses, cities were constantly endangered by military units from one side or the other so cities had walls and gates which barred entrance. Before a city would admit a military unit inside its walls, the Chief Constable would demand to know the reason the soldiers wished to enter the city, and then he would escort their commander to the chambers of the city council.
Mayor Christopher says it was an honour to be part of ancient tradition and open the door welcoming Colonel Keiver.
Christoper says the wooden piece that has symbolic dents from Keiver’s sword will be put on a plaque for display at the new rotunda at the front of City Hall.
